On Tuesday 4 August 2020, a massive explosion destroyed thousands of homes and buildings in Beirut, killing 178 people and injuring more than 6,000. In addition to the catastrophic situation due to the explosion, Lebanon has seen an exponential increase in COVID-19 cases, further straining the country’s health sector, which has already seen 3 major hospitals out of use because of damage caused by the explosion.
YMCA Lebanon volunteers and staff are continuing to provide support to the community.
They are providing medicines for chronic diseases, since the number of needy individuals visiting health centers and requesting medication has increased exponentially.
They are also assisting families and homes affected by the explosion. Up to 80 YMCA volunteers have been working daily since 6 August in the areas of Ashrafieh, Getawi, Burj Hammoud and Karantina. They cleaned up for more than 180 households and families; they cleared broken wood, glass, metal and rubble at the University La Sagesse, the largest educational compound in Beirut; they restored 25 public spaces and cleaned 6 streets in the Achrafieh area; they replaced the broken windows of 25 locations with plastic sheets, to allow families to sleep in temporary safe accommodation.
YMCA Lebanon has also assisted 22 families to return to their apartments with minimum living conditions. The YMCA team is ensuring running water by replacing the damaged water tanks and their installations. In addition, the team is providing essential household appliances such as gas cookers and water heaters.
So far, World YMCA has raised and delivered almost 40,000 USD for YMCA Lebanon. If you want to support them, please donate.
World YMCA Secretary General Carlos Sanvee, says: “The worldwide YMCA Movement has rallied around its brothers and sisters in Lebanon. We collectively thank all who have contributed, and we salute the fantastic work of those young YMCA Lebanon volunteers serving their communities. Yet again, it demonstrates what we fundamentally believe, that young people themselves are already providing the answers to so many of the world’s challenges.”
More information
- Have a look at some photos of YMCA Lebanon at work in Beirut (photos YMCA Lebanon)
Previous web articles
- Young people supporting their communities in Beirut (11 August 2020)
- YMCA Lebanon staff safe but in shock (5 August 2020)